I’ve got the job…..

Yes – I can’t really believe it…. but someone has given me a job, a teaching job in Thailand! After the late skype interview and the disastrous test class it didn’t look hopeful but I’ve got it – we will be in Bangkok for a whole YEAR (that is a long time….)

My first day didn’t start out that well…. infact it was awful! I was told to “just play games with them” – sounds simple enough, until you actually start playing games with 30 4 year olds for 2 hours non stop, who don’t really speak English. It’s a lot of games and songs and by the end it wasn’t just me begging for it to be over – some of the kids were even telling me they were bored!

Creative Commons: Seetefl

What the hell have I gotten myself into…. Why on earth did I think I would be good at this?

Luckily the afternoon went a little better, I was able to do some structured work with them and they responded much better. Come the end of the day the urge to run away and hide in a dark corner had gone.

Fast forward two weeks and I was totally fine, I started loving working with the kids and knew what worked and what didn’t. I was much more confident when delivering my lesson and even had some class room control

After four weeks teaching I’m really enjoying it and when they offered me a full time position I jumped at the chance… There’s still some times when I find I am struggling but I always look back to the first day and think how much better I’m getting on now.

I start on Wednesday – eeeeeeeekkkkkkk

Wish me luck! And watch out for some interesting stories…..

I will leave you with a short one:

I teach four year olds, when discussing healthy or unhealthy food I showed a picture of a pineapple…. at which point, one kid stood up and in perfect English “Manning no like Pineapple…. No like Pineapple at all!”

We most certainly will be! You should make it your mission to get here within the year!!
Yeah over the last month it has got a lot easier, and now we are in a real term rather than summer camp it should be even easier!
🙂

Congrats Kirsty! And so glad to hear that you’re now enjoying/feeling confident in your new job.

Given that I’m presently planning similar come Oct. (i.e. moving to Southeast Asia (likely Vietnam but also considering Thailand) to teach EFL) needless to say, I’ll be verily GLUED to your every mot on the subject! 😉

That said, a few of questions:

1. Details please – what sort of pay/perks did they offer you?

2. Did you take a CELTA course? Else…? (I ask ‘cuz I’m planning on taking the month-long CELTA in either Chiang Mai or Saigon.)

2. *THIRTY* 4 yr. olds??? Goodness girl, but I should think that would be quite the challenge!Dyanne@TravelnLass´s last blog post ..TravelnLass Faces the Mic yikes!

Answers:
1. i get paid 38,000 + 2,000 travel allowance + 2,000 performance bonus. Mine is only a ten month contract (but you can get 12 month ones) Not many perks, just health insurance – but they have to give you that to get your work permit.
2. Nope I just have a internet certificate, I think they usually look at previous experience more than the cert however if you have the time and money it is a good way to be prepared for teaching as you will get some experience in an actual classroom, which I didn’t have when I started!
3. that’s just for summer camp, in usual classes I will have 8 – 15 or 20 maximum depending on the different program the kids are in. And I have four thai teachers helping me look after the kids.

Congrats–how exciting! What a relief that everything came through even after a frustrating interview process. I have several friends who have taught abroad in Asia and really loved it. It sounds like you have a great adventure on your hands!Emily´s last blog post ..How to Treat Motion Sickness While Traveling

Congrats! I am glad to hear that things got better, I knew they would. It’s scary at first when you have never taught before and even 4 year olds know how to subconsciously test you!

Sounds like you guys have an exciting year ahead! I’m happy to see that you got a job in Thailand because that’s where I want to teach (eventually) and it seemed like it was the most sought after (i.e. less perks and less jobs).

They really do, some of the kids have a brilliant I have no idea what you are talking about please shut up face!!!
Yeah it’s a bit more sought after but it’s great living here in Bangkok. If you have any questions etc just gives us a shout 🙂

Congrats on the new job! I used to have a class of 12 6-years old girls in Cairo, Egypt and I can’t imagine dealing with 30!
it’s incredible how kids can’t concentrate on something for more than 10 minutes! They will always come up with the “I’m bored” or “I don’t like it” comments but don’t bother too much, in the end you are the adult there and you have the power 🙂
They will love you, I’m sure!
Good luck 🙂 GGiulia´s last blog post ..Moving out

Awesome, congrats!! I thought about teaching English overseas as a way to travel, but I don’t think I could handle it. You’re much braver than me. So is Poi able to get some kind of visa to stay for the year too or will he just have to keep getting the tourist visa renewed?Ali´s last blog post ..The Secrets I’ve Been Keeping

Congratulations 🙂 This is exactly why I’m so keen to go and teach English in Asia – it sounds much more challenging and rewarding and hilarious than my desk job! Can’t wait to hear the crazy stories – am sure in four weeks you’ve already got loads of them.megan´s last blog post ..Harvest time in Bhaktapur

Congrats on the job Kirsty! The kids in Asia seemed alot more willing to learn new things when I went over there a few years ago – so impressed with their english!

Im half tempted to do the internet course myself so I can teach over there when we return next year or the year after, although I cant imagine being able to control a classroom of children! The experience will be amazing and extremely rewarding Im sure.

Just out of curiosity when your slaving away in the classroom whats Poi up to with his ‘spare’ time? Is he being the perfect boyfriend?!

Are you now living in a flat/apartment? or still hostelling it?

Congrats again, and hope it will be a great experience. Im sure time will fly and you’ll be back on the road soon so enjoy the routine and stability!

Thanks – they are little angels (most of the time!!) Poi gets to sit at home all day whiling away his time on internet ventures…. I’m not sure he would do very well with little babies!!!
We’re living in a lovely apartment now, don’t think I could handle hostels whilst working all day – i need to come home and just chill!!!

Congrats on the job! So did you get the position/ sign the contract etc before you arrived in Thailand? I’m in the UK and would like to secure a job before I go instead of having the worry of finding one on a Tourist visa. If so was it through an agency or a specific job website -anyone you can recommend or any advice?

Hi, we're Poi and Kirsty! Join us as we try to create the perfect life for ourselves doing what we love. There will be diving, skiing, teaching and more as we travel the world trying new things and having fun along the way. Want the full story?